- Pin it
- SubscribeUnsubscribe
- Embed
Florida Wing hasn't added a story.
SUMMARY
The Florida Wing was recently awarded stewardship of this 1943
North American SNJ-4, a real life monument to military pilot
training history, and it now joins our beautiful T-34 in the Butch
Stevens Hangar facility on the east side of DeLand Airport (DED).
We are seeking funds for a much needed new paint job, and will be
restoring the aircraft into the colors and markings of SNJ-4s that
were based at our very own DeLand Airport in 1944, then known as
NAS DeLand, as a tribute to our own local heritage, and to the men
and women who supported the intensive Navy flight training
operations that once occurred in our own back yard.
HISTORY
Before it was N224X, this SNJ-4 was Navy Bureau #27585 and was delivered to the Pensacola, Florida area in 1943 where it was operated from the various Navy airfields in western panhandle of Florida. Records indicate a majority of this SNJ’s life in Navy service occurred at Naval Auxiliary Air Station Whiting, and after spending a brief period in storage between wars from 1950 to 1952, was inducted back into Navy service, then finally retired after a stint in Naval Air Reserve Training at Grosse Ille, MI in 1956. The airplane was sold into civilian ownership in 1957 for the bargain price $1,810 (that’s $16,700 in today’s dollar!) and was eventually acquired by its current owner, the Commemorative Air Force, in 1974. Before falling into the care of the Florida Wing, the CAF whereabouts of this SNJ included Lafayette, Harlingen, Abilene, Dallas, Cleveland, and the last caretaker of the plane was the Buffalo Heritage Squadron in upstate New York.
Research suggests that the paint scheme of the Florida Wing’s SNJ-4 reflects that of a typical Texan attached to Navy training squadrons like VN-3D8 in 1943 - which was the first squadron to have commenced operations at newly commissioned NAAS Whiting Field that same year. However, the current markings do not corroborate to that era of naval aviation, and since the existing paint is quickly approaching the end of its useful life, a new paint job will be required sooner rather than later. As part of the Florida Wing’s efforts to best represent the rich Naval Aviation history of DeLand, Florida, fundraising is underway to adorn N224X with the colors and markings of the SNJ-4 utility aircraft (colloquially referred to as hacks) that once called our airport home in 1944.
PROGRESS
N224X required a very involved (read that, expensive) annual
inspection after its ferry flight down to Florida from Buffalo. More
than a few components required repair or complete replacement
altogether, and our lead mechanic, Gene McNeely of AeroShell
Aerobatic Team fame, quickly realized the true scope of the project
he was about to undertake in returning this Texan to airworthy
condition. Compromised fuel lines, new throttle quadrants and an
electric fuel pump, installation of ADS-B, re-weighing the airframe,
and the FAA approvals to go along with it all were just a couple of
the hurdles encountered by our team as the plane progressed through
the inspection. Hundreds of man hours were devoted by several FL
Wing volunteers and local T-6 A&Ps who worked long hours every
day for two and a half weeks to make this Texan safe for flight with
high dispatch reliability.
TASKS AHEAD
While we have performed all the leg work necessary to make our
SNJ a great flyer, N224X has some very large expenses looming
ominously in the distance. First and foremost is the engine
overhaul. The Pratt and Whitney R-1340 on our SNJ-4 is approaching
the recommended overhaul interval. We knew this was going to be a
challenge early on, and have developed a budget and a course of
action to finance the overhaul costs.
The next large cost is new paint.
The paint that is currently on N224X is very old (possibly
approaching 40 years) and not of good quality. It’s evident
in some areas where paint was not
expertly applied, and other areas where it’s
starting to peel. It became
immediately apparent after it arrived that this would have to take a
priority moving forward if we expect to maintain a serviceable
aircraft in the humid and salty environment of coastal Central Florida.
Other modifications planned by the Florida Wing include acquisition and installation of the more durable Red Line disc brakes as well as a new audio selector panel with hot mic capability.
VISION
Research by our Florida Wing volunteers has turned up photos of SNJ-4s (the same type as the Florida Wing’s) based at NAS DeLand circa 1944. These aircraft served as proficiency trainers and local utility aircraft, and were utilized to assist in the massive amount of operational flight training that was occurring in the greater DeLand and Daytona Beach area. The Florida Wing is endeavoring to raise capital to acquire the materials and labor necessary to strip and repaint this 1943 former navy trainer. This process would additionally include removal, recovering, and repainting of all the fabric control surfaces in addition to the prep and paintwork on the metalized airframe. While we did not foresee having to accomplish this project on such a condensed timeline, we feel it is our obligation to view this setback as an opportunity to honor the history of our hometown and the men and women who served at NAS DeLand, and to educate the young people of today (including the hundreds of local Boy Scouts that receive their aviation merit badge each year right here at our facility) about the proud history of United States Naval Aviation in Florida by returning a period correct SNJ-4, wearing the same colors and markings of the Texans that once flew off this very same piece of pavement over 75 years ago. The Florida Wing could use all the help we can get in making this dream a reality. Thank you for your consideration this holiday season and we wish you all a safe, healthy, and Merry Christmas!
ABOUT 12 PLANES OF CHRISTMAS
Each year the CAF holds an annual fundraiser to help support and highlight aircraft projects for planes in need of restoration, maintenance or repairs. Donors may contribute to a specific aircraft project or to the CAF’s Restoration Grant Fund.
Don’t want to donate online?
Call 877-767-7175
or mail check to: CAF Headquarters, P.O. Box 764769 Dallas, TX, 75376
The Restoration Grant Fund
The Restoration Grant
Fund is a dollar-for-dollar match program created to help aircraft
projects with the most need get back into the air faster.
Giving to a Specific Aircraft Project
If you
have a particular affinity for an airplane, you can make a direct
contribution to the aircraft.Scroll downto see all the
projects looking for support.
Highlights
See all activity17Activity
Related fundraisers for our cause
Delete media item?
Delete this item from the media gallery? It will also be deleted from any related story update.
Set as ?
The campaign video will appear in social media and email.
The campaign cover picture will appear in social media and email.
The will appear at the top of your campaign page and in social media and email.
Reset ?
It will be removed from the top of your campaign and won't be used as default in social media and email. The will remain in the media gallery.
Embed
Share a link
Delete update
Delete this story update?
Any pictures or videos will remain in the campaign's media gallery.
Report campaign
Report submitted
Thank you. We take reports like yours very seriously. Our goal is to keep the community safe.
Please know that we may contact you for more information, but that we won't notify you personally of our decision. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Thank you. We've already received your previous report. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Tell us about the problem. Please fill in both fields below.
Record a video
Upload a video
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Take a minute or two to record one now. Record a short video message of support. Or upload one from your device. You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Upload a short video message of support. Upload a short video message of support. Or record one right now.
- Most effective video length: about a minute.
- Maximum length: 5 min.
- You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Heads up! The existing video will be replaced.
Email your friends
Join our team
Tell people why our cause matters to you. Your personal message will encourage others to help. Easy, effective, optional.
Say it in video
Short personal videos by supporters like you are incredibly powerful. Record one right now and you'll help us raise more money. Easy, optional, effective.
Add a personal goal
Set a personal fundraising goal. You'll encourage more contributions if you do. And rest easy. There's no obligation to achieve your goal or bad consequences if you don't. Easy, optional, effective.
We have a video!
Video thumbnail
We'd love to show you our campaign video. Want to take a look?
, you're already on the team.